Mail-receptacle.



J. W. NORMAN.

MAIL REOEPTAOLE.

APPLIOATION FILED DEO.14, 1012.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

wi/tmcooeo a W m UNITE STATEggTENT OFFIQE.

JOHN W. NORMAN, OF CARUTHERSVILLE, MISSOURI.

MAIL-RECEITACLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

Application filed December 14, 1912. Serial No. 736,770.

To all whom '1' i may concern.

Be it known that I, J 01m 1V. NORMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Caruthersville, in the county of Pemiscot and State ofMissouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Maildteceptacles,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in receptacles such as baskets orboxes and has particular application to a receptacle (lesigned for useby carriers in the rural free delivery service.

In carrying out the present invention, it is my purpose to provide areceptacle of the class described which may be readily suspended fromthe rear of a vehicle and whercin the cover of such receptacle will besocurely and effectively held in closed position so as to prevent lossof the mail within the receptacle.

It is also my purpose to provide a device of the class set forth whichwill embrace the desired features of simplicity, efficiency, durabilityand convenience coupled with cheapness of cost in manufacture andmarketing and which may be readily applied to and removed from avehicle.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forthin and falling within the scope of the claim.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of areceptacle constructed in accordance with my present invention. Fig. 2is a sectional view through the receptacle, showing the cover locked inclosed position. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the cover relieved ofthe influence of the holding means.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing in detail, the numeral 1indicates the body of the receptacle which may be constructed of anysuitable material, such, for instance, as wicker and is provided with aremovable cover 2 having an outwardly extending depending marginalflange 3 de signed to embrace the adjacent edge of the body. The body 1of the receptacle is preferably bound by means of hoops 4L and hassuitably secured to one end wall thereof in spaced parallel relationstraps 5, 5 extended upwardly beyond the cover 2 and terminating inhooks 6 whereby the receptacle may be suspended from an appropriate partof a vehicle, as for instance, the rear wall of the body of suchvehicle.

Formed on each strap 5 at an appropriate distance above the upper wallof the cover 2 is a pivot ear or lug 7 in which is secured by means of apivot pin 8 a holding lever 9 of a length approximately equal to thewidth of the receptacle and adapted to lie in a plane above that of thecover 2.

Suitably fastened to the front wall of the body 1 of the receptacle,that is the wall opposite from the straps 5, are string strips 10 eachdisposed contiguous the free end of one of the holding lovers 9 andprovided with an outwardly or laterally projecting nose 11 above thecover 2 and designed to contact with the upper surface of the adjacentend of the respective holding lever whereby such lever will be held inlooking position.

011 the upper surface of the cover 2 below each holding lever 9 is awear strip 12 and interposed between such wear strip and the respectiveholding lever are a number of coiled springs 13 each having one endrigidly secured to the respective wear strip and the opposite endadapted to be contacted by the holding lever 9 when the latter is swungto locking position.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, the construction and manner of employing my invention will bereadily apparent. After the mail has been deposited within the body 1 ofthe receptacle, the cover 2 is applied thereto to close the same and theflange 3 of such cover embraces the upper marginal edge of the body toprevent lateral displacement of the cover as will be readily understood.The holding levers 9, 9 are now swung about the pivot pins 8 and contactwith the upper ends of the springs 13 whereby the lattcr are put undertension to hold the cover 2 securely upon the body of the receptacle.The spring strips 10, 10 are now pulled outwardly or away from the receptacle so that the respective ends of the holding lovers 9, 9 may passthe noses 11, 11. As soon as the free ends of the holding levers havepassed the noses, the spring strips are released and fly back intolatching position thereby securing the holding levers in position. Thereceptacle may now be applied to the vehicle by means of the hooks 6, 6of the straps 5, 5.

It will be seen that I have provided a receptacle which will be foundespecially useful in the rural free delivery mail service and whereinthe contents of the receptacle are at all times insured against loss.

While I have herein shown and described one preferred form of myinvention by way of illustration, I desire to have it understood that Ido not limit or confine myself to the precise details of construction,herein described and delineated, as modification and variation may bemade Within the scope of the claim and without departing from the spiritof the invention.

I claim:

In a receptacle, a body and a removable cover therefor, straps securedto the rear wall of said body and extending upwardly beyond the coverthereof, holding levers each pivoted at one end to one of said strapsand disposed in a plane above that of said cover, a wear plate securedto said cover and disposed below each holding lever, springs interposedbetween said levers and Wear strips and adapted to be compressed by saidlevers to hold the cover in applied position, and spring strips securedto the front wall of the body and each having a nose adapted to beengaged by the free end of one of said levers whereby the latter will beheld in active position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN W. NORMAN. Witnesses:

C. S. LIGHT, E. E. WATSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 7

